Indie TV and film development fund launches in Leeds

Pictured, one of the Yorkshire Vets Julian Norton with a newborn lamb at Cannon Hall Farm near Barnsley where Springtime on the Farm is being filmed, by Leeds-based Daisybeck Studios, for Channel Five. Photo credit: Gary Longbottom/ 	JPIMedia ResellPictured, one of the Yorkshire Vets Julian Norton with a newborn lamb at Cannon Hall Farm near Barnsley where Springtime on the Farm is being filmed, by Leeds-based Daisybeck Studios, for Channel Five. Photo credit: Gary Longbottom/ 	JPIMedia Resell
Pictured, one of the Yorkshire Vets Julian Norton with a newborn lamb at Cannon Hall Farm near Barnsley where Springtime on the Farm is being filmed, by Leeds-based Daisybeck Studios, for Channel Five. Photo credit: Gary Longbottom/ JPIMedia Resell | jpimediaresell

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

A new £200k fund has launched in Leeds to help local independent television and film companies to develop new content.

The project is a collaboration between Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) in association with Screen Yorkshire and has been set up as a direct result of the two month suspension in all production activity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Sally Joynson, chief executive from Screen Yorkshire, said the new fund will help support the development of regional companies in these uncertain times and beyond.

She said: "In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, as pitching to broadcasters picks up speed, the indies will need to put themselves in prime position to be ahead of the rush of proposals from other companies from across the UK.

A new fund has launched in Leeds to help local independent television and film companies to develop new content. Photo credit: otherA new fund has launched in Leeds to help local independent television and film companies to develop new content. Photo credit: other
A new fund has launched in Leeds to help local independent television and film companies to develop new content. Photo credit: other | other

"This fund will help them deliver on that, as they take their first tentative steps back into production and begin the long road to recovery."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get itEstablished independent production companies across Yorkshire have been responsible for high profile national television programmes showcasing the region.

Leeds-based Daisybeck Studios produce Springtime on the Farm for Channel Five, featuring Julian Norton, while fellow city based True North Production company’s hit series, Say Yes to the Dress, with Gok Wan, airs on TLC.

In North Yorkshire, Air TV follows the lifesaving work of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance in Helicopter ER, for Really.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Helicopter ER, made by Air TV for UK TV Really. Photo credit: FreelanceHelicopter ER, made by Air TV for UK TV Really. Photo credit: Freelance
Helicopter ER, made by Air TV for UK TV Really. Photo credit: Freelance | other

The money comes from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the LEP, through its new creative catalyst programme, and will distribute between £2,500 and £25,000 to indie film projects.

The creative programme was established in response to Channel 4’s relocation to Leeds and broadcaster commitment to increase commissioning across the regions.

The fund will only be open to independent film and TV production companies with a “substantive base” in Leeds, which can demonstrate a proven track record in productions that have been broadcast nationally or internationally, and/or commercially distributed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In the past two years there has been a significant shift in momentum in the sector in Leeds, driven in large part by Channel 4’s relocation, and by a growing recognition from other broadcasters of the creative expertise and talent on offer in the region.

Say Yes to the Dress, made by True North for TLC featuring Gok Wan. Photo credit: TLC/Elise DumontetSay Yes to the Dress, made by True North for TLC featuring Gok Wan. Photo credit: TLC/Elise Dumontet
Say Yes to the Dress, made by True North for TLC featuring Gok Wan. Photo credit: TLC/Elise Dumontet | other

________________________________

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson